Siddle hoping age won't count against him with selectors

CRICKET: Veteran paceman Peter Siddle admits to feeling the nerves as Australia looks to a more youthful Test team.

The 32-year-old played in the opening match of the summer against South Africa, but has since been sidelined by the recurrence of a back injury.

Australia fielded its youngest Test team in three decades in Adelaide, with David Warner the oldest in the line-up at 30.

Siddle said while the success the team had - winning by seven wickets to end a five-Test losing run - left him feeling "a little bit” nervous, he hoped age wouldn't be the major factor for selectors.

"They want players in form and I think it won't matter if you're 25 or early 30s, if you're performing you'll still get your opportunity,” he told SEN radio.

The Victorian, who first developed stress fractures in his back in February, hopes to recover from his latest setback in time to be considered for the second Test against Pakistan at the MCG starting on Boxing Day. The first Test starts on December 15 in Brisbane.

"The good thing was we got on to it early and we knew what it was so that made it easy just to keep in control rather than push it too hard and be out for a long time,” he said.

"I've only missed a few weeks. You never know, Boxing Day would be a nice time to come back but I've just got to get it right and see how I go.

"I'll have another scan next week and see how it goes and I'm feeling good. I'm back training, fitness-wise I'm feeling good.